Saturday, August 3, 2013

Cook-Out Athens & Augusta Locations Revealed! + ITP Plans?

North Carolina-based Cook-Out will open in Athens & Augusta soon, and maybe Atlanta later?

The exact locations of the Athens and Augusta Cook-Out restaurants had been a mystery, but luckily a few readers came through with their exact locations.

The Athens restaurant sits on roughly two acres of dirt at the corner of Epps Bridge Parkway & Jordan Drive.  Cook-Out will be located in front of a relatively new NTB (National Tire & Battery) and adjacent to a Walmart with Wendy's on an outparcel.

About 7 miles away, Alex Brounstein will open his second brick and mortar Grindhouse Killer Burgers restaurant.  Grindhouse Athens will be in Five Points at the corner of Lumpkin & Woodrow Streets. Grindhouse is replacing what had been a vacant service station which was torn town to construct the restaurant.  Brounstein hopes to be open in about a month.   

In Augusta, Cook-Out will open on the site of a former Hess gas station.  The parcel, at 1801 Walton Way, is surrounded by other fast food options like KFC and Burger King, and not far from Augusta State University.

I tried my luck again with the Cook-Out corporate number hoping for a set of loose lips, but was yet again met with secrecy and little help.  I was told Cook-Out prefers "soft openings" and that "no announcements would be made about the openings: they'll just open."  Based on local intel, both restaurants should open by October.  

Additionally, one source claims that while Cook-Out appears to be making moves OTP, (and corporate claims there are no other Georgia expansion plans on the books), their focus behind the scenes is supposedly entering Atlanta ITP.  The source claims Cook-Out is "going to focus inside the perimeter for Atlanta locations before looking out" (Alpharetta, Roswell Kennesaw etc.) and that "they are actively looking."

I've only been to Augusta once and Athens a handful of times, and am far less familiar with their demographics and prime areas.  Are these Cook-Out locations primed for success or will they burn-out?  What are your thoughts?  If Cook-Out does open ITP next, where do you think they will open? 

 Please share your thoughts below.  

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

My brother goes to school in Knoxville and every time I see him he sings praises for this place so I'm excited, definitely hope they open something near Atlanta...he says it's worth driving out for but I'd rather it be closer! Not sure at all what could work ITP, I guess universities are what they're after but it doesn't feel like there's a good space for what I assume they're like.

Anonymous said...

1801 Walton Way in Augusta is an older area near downtown. It's near the major Augusta hospitals and the universities. The neighborhood it will be in isn't very bad, but it's not as well to do as areas further west.

The Athens location is in a suburban area in Oconee county and may face more competition than the Augusta location.

Anonymous said...

The Athens location is also a mile from the new Epps Bridge Centre lifestyle center.

Anonymous said...

Based on your observation that this restaurant does not choose the highest end locations, the Augusta location is a logical choice. It is among several other fast food places, close to a high school, and also close to three major hospitals and multiple medical complexes.

Andy said...

I bet if they go intown it will be somewhere near Emory, GT, or possibly South of Georgia State.

They opened one of these up in Charlottesville where I grew up and they were so busy with College students at night, they had to hire a cop for the late night hours to prevent traffic jams on the main road there. Pretty Crazy!

Anonymous said...

When Cookout opens in Athens, I will not eat another traditional fast food hamburger again.

Living only a few miles from this location, I frequent the Wendy's right across the street fairly regularly for a quick burger.

No more! Can't wait for Cookout! Hush Puppies for everyone!!

Anonymous said...

The best thing about Cookout is... wait for it... Cheerwine ON TAP at the soda fountain! I discovered Cookout AND Cheerwine on my first roadtrip to Greenville last year. Woo hoo!

TheJohnP said...

@Anon...

You can get Cheerwine on tap in Atlanta at the Variety Playhouse, Burnt Fork BBQ and the Plaza Theatre.

Just for your info.

Anonymous said...

Like everybody says the cook out is great the food is perfect i came to North Carolina and feel in love with the food I say in Augusta, GA and can't wait for yall to get here I think the restaurant should open up on Washington road instead better business area more money then walton way and lots of business for sale like old gas station and buildings think about my name is Paul Hargon.

Anonymous said...

The Cookout in Augusta opened this week! --GRU Prof

Unknown said...

@Anon...


You can also get Cheerwine on tap at Striplings in Statham (Oconee side) at the intersection of Hwy 53 and Hwy 78.

Anonymous said...

Augusta is getting a second Cook Out off Jimmy Dyess Parkway in Columbia County, right off the Interstate!..opening any day! Very excited to try this new restaurant!

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